elaine



(No Model.)

G. B. BLAINE.

VEHIGLE SPRING.

No. 293.219. Patented Feb, 12, 1884. I

"NITFED ST TES PATENT @rFrcE.

(mono-n E. BLAINE, or mneconn, cn'onc'm.

'VEHICLE-SPRING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 293,219,

dated February 12, 18C4.

Application filed :September 19, 1883. (Nomodr-l.)

. i enable others skilled in the art to which it ap 10 pertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part ofthis specification.

This. invention consists in an improved spring and movable bolster adapted for use on road-vehicles of all descriptions, childrens carriages, toy wagons, and analogous articles, as hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents in side elevation a fixedbolsterhaw ing my improved springs, vertically-reciproeating bolster, and spring-rests in operative position thereon. Fig. 2 represents an under side plan view of one end of the movable bolster and upper member of one of the springs. Fig. 3 represents in perspective one of myimproved double springs. I

A represents an ordinary bolster of a wagon or other vehicle, having standardsB at each end. I

0 represents the movable bolster for supporting the floor or body of "the vehicle or wagon seat, and whichis at each end provided I with a recess or notch, D, to adapt the same to reciprocate vertically upon the standards B. A recess, E, is formed in the under face of the movable bolster, at each end thereof, within which the ends or arms of the upper members of the springs, to be presently described, slide. These recesses each have a metal sheathing, F, attached thereto by any suitable means, and each have a shoulder, G, against which the ends of the upper members of the springs rest, and by which they are supported and held in operative position, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. Theseshoulders consequentlyserve as stops for limiting the movement inward of the ends of the upper members of the springs, and thereby hold the same in the proper state of tension. Moreover, by reason of these stops or shoulders G, the tension of the spring is loosely in position.

H H represent the springs, which are each composed of a single continuous piece of steel bent or formed with bowed or curved ends I J, and with coils KI whose inner faces rest loosely against the outside faces of .the stationary bolster A. Between the loops I and the coils K and L are arms it, and between theloop J and the coils are arms jj The arms j j provide'a strong brace for the spring, they resting against the faces of bolster A.

M represents staples or outwardly-bowed strips or pieces of metal attached at each end by means of eyes and bolts N or other suita- .ble means to each outer face of the stationary bolster, for the purpose of serving as supports upon the springs forces them down.

It will be observed that the. springs areheld There are no securing de vices employed-such as bolts, screws, rivets, and the lil eby the use of which much wear and tear is caused the springs in use, and by which the life of the springs would be materially shortened. Moreover, by supporting these springs loosely, as shown, their action will be freer, they will be more elastic and prompt in operation, and less strain will be exerted upon the pivoted or axial portion than wherethe.

coils are attached to the stationary bolster by V bolts or studs. I

It will be observed on reference to the draw-. ings that the upper or hearing members, I, of the springs H are somewhat shorter than are the lower members or arms, J. This construction, by reason of the constant central pressure exerted thereby, tends to maintain the springs in proper'posit'ion at all times. The .upper members or arms, I, of the springs when at rest rest against the 'stops or shoulders G, while the lower members or arms, J, of said springs rest upon the upper face of the stationary bolster in the manner shown-that is to say, with their bowed or curved ends resting upon the upper face of said bolster, and against the inner faces of the standards B, and with their arms extending downwardly over and embracing the sides of the stationary bolster A.

The springs are formed as follows: A suitablc length of wire or other shaped metal having been procured, it is then centrally curved or bowed. Its two loose ends are then 111 turn joined together in the form of a bow or curve lowed so long as the springs have each two coils, KL, a bow-shaped arm, I, for supporting the movable bolster, and alonger bow-shaped arm, J, adapted to embrace and rest upon the stationarybolster in the manner herein shown and described.

As the seat or body of the vehicle supported by the movable bolster 0 becomes weighted or loaded, so as to press down said movable bolster, the shorter arms I of the springs II will be pressed downward, their bowed or curved outer ends will slide along the sheathed recesses F F, the tension upon the coils will be increased, and additional supportingstrength thereby afforded to the short arms, I. As the pressure downward upon the bolster O and arms I continues, the coils will be forced down to and rest upon the coil-rests M on' each side of the stationary bolsterA. Upon the pressure upon the bolster 0 being released the coiled portions and short arms of the springs will rise upward and remain at a comparatively slight tension until again compressed.

The advantages of a springhaving.unrestrained connection with the movable and immovable bolsters, and at the same time adapted to fully support the movable bolster in operative and inoperative positions, have been already explained. These are real advantages and render springs so constructed and arranged very serviceable, lasting, and less subject to wear and tear than wherethey are se cured to the bolsters by bolts or other devices, which, during the movement of said springs, tend to wear them out.

Having thus described my im'entioinwhat I. claim is-- 1. The combinatiomwith the bolster A, pro-- vided-with the standards 13 and coil-support N, of the sliding bolster G and springs H H, all constructed, arranged, and operating as set forth. I

2. The combination of stationary bolster A, having standards 13, bolster 0, having at each end a recess or notch, D, and a sheathed recess, E, in the under surface, and a notch or shoulder, G, the springs H, each having a short arm, I, adapted to rest and slide within said recess E and support the bolster C, coils 'K L, and arms J, adapted to rest upon and with the coils embrace the stationary bolster A, and the coil-supports M, attached to said bolster A, all substantially as and for the purpose hcrein shown and described.

In testimonywhereof I affix mysignature in presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE E. BLAINE. Vitncsses: f

.T. H.'.ANDERsoN, W. T. LAINIE. 

